“Nothing nearer the truth?”
“No, indeed.”
“I think you can, Fräulein.”
“You are wrong, Count.”
“No. Nor in thinking that you will.”
Nothing could exceed the masterful tenacity of his manner. It was as though he knew everything, and was merely trying to convict his guest of deceit.
“I can tell you nothing nearer the truth,” Minna persisted. With so great an issue at stake, she could think of nothing but what she conceived to be her duty.
The Count’s eyes never left her, but she bore their searching bravely.
“You can tell me,” he said, very deliberately, “that the Lieutenant and Fräulein von Bertheim, if that be her name, are not brother and sister.”
“I cannot,” she returned evasively.